Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1887-08-04
THE TRAVELLING FAMILY.
Its Devastating March in a Trop-
ical Country.


Did you ever hear of the Travelling
Family asked Colonel Brown.
1t was while was in Mexico
amongst Spanish-speaking people
who were very rude and even barbar'
Gus in their ways, and who neither
understood my speech, nor my mo-
tivcs for being where was. that l first
heard of the Travelling Family"
l was living by myself in little
abode hut, making sketches of the ma.
tves and the scenery, and doing my
best to work up an article which
should interest people in that part OF
the country felt quite sure that
those about me regarded me with
some suspicion, and were not friendly
TO me, and doubted almost every
thing they said, for / found them far
from truthful.
sat one evening over my fire, en-
gagged in cooking queer sort of mess
"A sort of stew in which garlic fig.
ured largely. bet which | did not find
unpalatablc and thinking that l was
rather lonely, and that friendly
caller would not be unpleasant. when
little sound ut my door startled me,
and | turned 10 see an old man stand
ing there, dressed in the costume of
The place, and seeming TO convey to
me by wave of his hand that his in
tentions were amicablc. Having been
so much alone, felt the value of any
token of good feeling, and arose and
invited the old man in.
My mess of pottage being ready, l
begged him to share it; and he con-
scented. After we had finished, he ac-
cepted some cigars | offered him; and
shortly all the long wrinkles in his
mahogany-cOlored face became curves.
and he was rs courteous as n Mexican
can be. He did not speak my Ian
guagc but knew tile of his, and
understood his compliments.
"A good dinner, Il fine cigar, a gen
tlcman after his own heart; and this, :"
he added, rs very comfortable
home. 1t is pity. but come to say
that you must leave it. You must go
away-oh! right away-and very far.
| come to tell you. Many said: Let
that man find out for himself but l
would not. You must 90, for the
Travel NC Family is on its way. 1t is
very close at hand. In three days it
will be here. Save yourself and your
possessions while you cam. 90 ut
dawn. i have once been where the
Travelling Family Wis ted. IknOw"
"The Travelling Fam ly" l cried.
''Why. who are these people that you
should be afraid OF thcm?'
"You do not know the Travelling
Family?' he asked. well, never
make their acqua ntancc. Go early to-
morrow from this place. They are
coming, and they travel fast"
He arose and looked at me seriously.
"The gentleman does not believe"
he sad.
''Oh, yes" | said; Il believe. am
much obliged for the warning, but do
not feel afraid of any travelling family.
| shall stay here"
TO tell the truth, | IMPLY thought
he was uttering falsehood; that the
people shed me TO leave the place,
and that he was Their ambassador. He
wanted to brighten me, though what
bugbear the Travelling Family repre-
scented had no idea.
slept as usual and arose without
anxiety; but before | was well into my
days work, woman came to my door,
and smiled upon me graciously.
The gentlemen is "A stranger" she
said. lie does not know the Travel
ing Family is coming. We are all go.
ing. No one dares stay. Go. also, OF
you will be sorry"
i thanked her, and she went her
way; but still did not believe that any
thing was about to happen, until | saw
that in very truth my Mexican neigh
bors were making preparations for de-
parture. They were packing theil
clothing in cur Gus baskets, suspending
their kettles and pots from long sticks
which they carried between them over
Their shoulders. Some loaded their
mules; some went on foot; but all were
going
Was the Travelling Family some
Dand of Indians?" asked myself, "ol
robbers who were known to have nc
mercv?"
At least had nothing TO steal, and
had been in savage lands without get
ting into difficulties.
The MeXicans had warned me O
something they considered dangerous
They had not led; but curiosity 90
the better of me, and resolved TO stay
and see what it all meant. knew
that ! understood the language sufli
GENTLY to interpret the words. Travel
ing Family was the correct definition
but of what did this family consist
Wild beasts did not march slowl,
down upon village. Savages gcner
ally made ambush. l knew of no sor
of storm that could have such a nam,
bestowed upon it. and of no convul
sion of nature, and intended TO wal
and see what would happen. o
course / asked some explanation, bu
all the answer | could get was that tn
Travelling Family were coming, an
that We must all go at once.
Finally watched them depart in Ii;
tie groups. bewailing the necessity @
leaving their homes, but quite unabl
to explain TO me what it was the
dreaded.
! found myself alone at nightfal
but, though | used my glass, l say
nothing in any direction to terrify me
1t was a strange thing, however, to b
the only inhabitant of deserted VII
lage. missed even my far from a
fectionate neighbors, and hearth